Christmas Time's A'Comin' (Friday Devotional)

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

- Matthew 5:16

If you’ve been to a department store in the last week or two, you’ve undoubtedly seen it: with Halloween behind us, our commercial overlords have decided that Christmas is upon us. The wreaths and the trees are out, the holiday sales are being advertised, and it won’t be long before you start hearing carols in every public place you go.

For many years, I was firmly in the camp saying you’re not allowed to start celebrating Christmas until after Thanksgiving—we never put up lights until Black Friday, we rarely decorated before December 1, and I didn’t want to hear the jingle of one silver bell until Santa had made his appearance at the end of the Macy’s parade. The church calendar, for what it’s worth, agrees with that take—the earliest date Advent can ever begin is November 27.

But I confess that I’ve softened on my stance over the years. I no longer sneer when I see somebody’s Christmas lights in November. I’m less of a Grinch about holiday displays being put up in stores “too early.” I may have even dusted off my Christmas playlist earlier this week.

My change in attitude boils down to something simple: our world needs more than a month devoted to hope, peace, joy, and love. The holidays are a time when we largely set aside the cares and concerns that occupy us the rest of the year and trade them for hospitality and gratitude, extended time with family, and the stories and songs that bring us closer to God. More and more, it seems like Christmas serves as a temporary antidote to the poisons that have infected our culture—it’s a time when we collectively decide to care about others, give of ourselves, and believe in God’s promises.

It seems a shame that such a season only lasts for, well, a season. But for believers, it doesn’t have to.

Whether you’re singing carols now or you wouldn’t dare until November 28, you can bring joy to the world. Whether your decorations are already out or they’re still boxed up in the attic, you can show the world what hope looks like. Whether your Christmas shopping is already done or you haven’t started, you can give of yourself.

We see a lot of selfishness, bitterness, and cynicism in the world every day, and you don’t have to wait until December to offer a countercultural gospel witness. You may want to wait a few more weeks to put your Christmas lights up—but you can be a light today.